The Old Ship has long been one of East London’s best-loved LGBTQ+ pubs. Tucked away in Limehouse, it’s the kind of place where you’ll find locals chatting over a pint in the afternoon, drag queens bringing the house down in the evenings and at the weekend, and a crowd that reflects London’s wonderfully diverse queer community.
Now celebrating its 15th year, landlord John Fell has helped turn The Old Ship into far more than just a pub. It’s a genuine community hub where everyone is welcome, whether you’re a regular, a first-time visitor or simply looking for a great night out.
We caught up with John to chat about what makes The Old Ship so special, the secret behind its loyal following, and what’s still to come.
The Old Ship has become a real cornerstone of East London’s LGBTQ+ community. What do you think makes it so special?
We are unique, attracting a traditional East London clientele mainly during the daytime, with a good mix of gay & straight in the evenings. We are inclusive of all genders and nationalities, which is what a good pub should be. We are very welcoming. We were named as number 19 in the top 50 pubs in London by Time Out from a list of 4500, which is fantastic!
Cabaret is at the heart of The Old Ship. What makes a great night on your stage?
We have cabaret every Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Each performer is chosen by us, even down to the actual day. We have a strong following of support, with acts coming from all over the city and abroad to work here. The audience is very responsive and supportive and loves to party!
The pub has built a loyal community over the years. What does that support mean to you personally?
Oh, it means a great deal to me to see it grow from strength to strength. We are now in our 15th year. People see all the hard work put in by everyone involved in running the pub.
Looking back, what’s been one of your proudest moments since taking on The Old Ship?
I have so many. I’m proud we attract a wide range of patrons, not just our LGBTQ+ family, but our allies too. We’re a safe space for women, men, gay, straight, bi, and everyone in between. We also have quite a few celebrities who pop in regularly. You’ll have to pop in to find out who! Plus, we always get fantastic reviews from lots of hospitality platforms like Historic Pub Crawls London and Time Out and yourself!
What’s coming up at The Old Ship that people should be excited about over the next few months?
We’re not just a pub; we have regular cabaret every weekend and quiz nights every Wednesday. This autumn on Thursday evenings, we will be launching a new drag bingo night with Queera Lynn with special guests every month. Watch this space!
If someone has never been to The Old Ship before, what’s the one thing you’d tell them before they walk through the door?
Walk in with an open mind. There will be a very warm welcome. The prices are reasonable, and the beer tastes great! Take your time, and you’ll be coming back for more.
With new drag bingo nights on the horizon, weekend cabaret continuing to pack the place out, and the same warm welcome that’s kept people coming back for the past 15 years, it’s clear The Old Ship isn’t slowing down anytime soon. If you’ve never visited before, perhaps it’s time to see what all the fuss is about. Just don’t be surprised if your first pint turns into an all-evening stay.
